Why did you decide to work at the school based health center?
I enjoy working with adolescents in the community where I live. School based health centers (SBHCs) are a wonderful resource for students. SBHCs offer services such as treatment of acute illnesses and injuries, preventive care, immunizations, health maintenance, wellness/sports physical exams, screenings, dental and mental health services. Being located at the school increases access to care by reducing barriers such as transportation or time away from school.

Hobbies?
I enjoy spending time with my family and animals. My hobbies include hiking, camping, traveling, gardening, fishing/clamming/crabbing, mushroom foraging and watching sports

Advice for teenagers in high school?
If you are struggling, find the courage to reach out to a teacher, coach, counselor, medical provider, or trusted adult.
“Be kind to everyone you encounter, for you never know what internal struggle someone else is facing.” - Jeff Davis

Why did you decide to work at the health center? I moved to the Sandy area in 2014 after years in the Portland metro area where I had trained as a child and family therapist and become a Licensed Professional Counselor. I was interested in working in my community, so when I saw the job posting for the Sandy High School School-Based therapist in the fall of 2016, I was excited to apply. I love working with teenagers and children. Teenagers are in this beautiful, often messy, phase of life where they are trying to figure out who they are and how they fit in.  I am well aware that many times it can be difficult to be parents to teenagers. Being a therapist is a different role, however. It is truly an honor to be able to create a non-judgmental, caring, attentive space for them during this time. I find some of the most powerful work I do is helping teens gather together what they have been through, what they are struggling with now, their strengths, and where they want to be in life as they grow up. We can then sort through this together, healing and working toward leaving negative beliefs that no longer serve a purpose behind, facing into the reality of what they need to look at to be honest with themselves and grow, and imagining a future that feels worth living. Additionally, I can work with any student in the district, so I sometimes get the opportunity to meet with younger children and their families. I have specialized training in working with younger children and enjoy the unique presence they bring while navigating ways to support them and their family.  I love working in a clinic where no client has to pay for services out of pocket and where I can collaborate closely with the on-site medical provider to be sure we are paying attention to both mental and physical health.  Being able to work closely with school administrators, counselors, and staff is also really helpful as I can get a broader contextual view of a person’s life when needed.

Some hobbies? In my free time, I’ve been enjoying learning how to garden, doing small home-improvement projects, spending time at the river with our dogs, hiking around in the woods, making pottery, listening to and occasionally playing music, crocheting, making food for people I love, doing yoga and having meaningful conversations with family and friends about the nature of life and growth J

Advice for teenagers in high school?  If you can… Find a way to love, or at least accept, exactly who you are as you are growing into who you want to become. This is a life-long goal and may seem like it will take forever… Though, the more you develop into yourself, instead of trying to fit in, the more others who will truly enjoy your unique company will be drawn to spending time with you.  You may even inspire others to do the same J 

Why did you decide to work at the health center?

I enjoy working with the students.

Hobbies?

Spending time with my dogs, family and friends.

Advice for teenagers in high school?

Always be yourself.